Sous Chef

As a Sous Chef at Splendido, you'll be primarily responsible for overseeing the culinary team's daily operations. This includes ensuring the quality and timely delivery of meals, maintaining safe food handling practices, and providing ongoing supervision and training to kitchen staff. You'll also assist with menu rotation, monitor food production to reduce waste, and ensure appealing plate presentations—all while keeping our residents’ dining experiences exceptional.

To qualify for the Sous Chef position at Splendido, candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in a culinary role, specifically in supervisory capacities. Strong communication skills, the ability to follow standardized recipes, a current sanitation certification, and a reliable attendance record are also essential. This role demands both leadership and culinary expertise to foster a positive working environment and provide top-notch dining experiences.

Splendido actively promotes career development and growth for its team members, including the Sous Chef. We offer tuition reimbursement for continuing education and various employee wellness programs to support your professional journey. You'll also be part of a dedicated team that fosters a culture of learning and development, where your culinary skills can flourish in a nurturing environment.

As a Sous Chef at Splendido, you'll focus on preparing a diverse menu that prominently features Mediterranean cuisine alongside other delectable options. This role allows you to showcase your creativity by preparing from-scratch meals and coordinating theme-based holiday meals, ensuring that residents receive a truly unique and delightful dining experience every day.

When you join Splendido as a Sous Chef, you'll enjoy a competitive benefits package that includes generous paid time off, medical, dental, and vision plans, and a 401(k) program with employer contributions. Additionally, team members can take advantage of wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and other unique perks designed to support a balanced and fulfilling work and personal life.

When discussing how to ensure consistent quality, focus on your experience in maintaining standardized recipes and training staff on proper cooking techniques. Highlight your attention to detail and ability to monitor food production closely to minimize waste, ensuring every dish meets the high standards expected at Splendido.

Share a specific instance where you effectively managed a challenge, such as handling last-minute menu changes or resolving staffing issues. Emphasize your problem-solving skills, the importance of communication, and how you kept the team motivated while maintaining quality service during the situation.

Detail your philosophy on training, which should include mentorship and hands-on demonstration. Discuss how you create a supportive learning environment that encourages skill development and fosters growth, leading to a cohesive and efficient kitchen team.

Explain your familiarity with HACCP guidelines and how you implement best practices for food safety. Discuss your routine for monitoring hygiene and sanitation practices while training staff to ensure everyone adheres to the same high standards.

Share a few creative Mediterranean dishes you've prepared in the past, focusing on fresh ingredients and authentic flavors. This will demonstrate your culinary range and ability to incorporate diverse flavors that residents at Splendido would enjoy.

Talk about your experience in menu planning, including collaborating with other culinary staff to create appealing options while staying within budget. Discuss how you monitor food costs and inventory to maintain financial responsibility without compromising quality.

Share an anecdote about a time you received constructive feedback. Focus on how you valued the input, made adjustments to improve the dish, and communicated with your team to integrate feedback into future preparations.

Emphasize your commitment to understanding residents' preferences and dietary needs. Discuss how you incorporate their feedback into menu design and how you strive to create not just meals, but memorable dining experiences that foster a sense of community at Splendido.

Discuss your enthusiasm for staying up-to-date with culinary trends through workshops, cooking shows, food magazines, or online resources. Mention how you apply this knowledge to create innovative and exciting dishes for Splendido's residents.

Convey your passion for enhancing the lives of older adults through nutritious and flavorful meals. Talk about the fulfillment you find in fostering a welcoming culinary program that supports residents’ health and happiness, making a meaningful impact in their daily lives.